Rick Warren, Dr. Oz to partner on health plan

Jan. 11, 2011

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Dr. Mehmet Oz is pictured during the production of The Dr. Oz Show in New York. Dr. Oz is one of three physicians that has put together a fitness and health program for Rick Warren. Warren is taking his plan of losing 90 pounds to his church members and making the effort a church-wide event. TEXT BY ERIKA I. RITCHIE, PHOTO AP

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Dr. Daniel Amen poses in front of a monitor displaying a brain scan of an Alzheimer's patient at his Newport Beach Amen Clinic offices. Amen is a New York Times bestselling author. He is also a clinical professor of psychiatry at UCI. TEXT BY ERIKA I. RITCHIE, PHOTO EUGENE GARCIA

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Pastor Rick Warren said he has gained three pounds a year for 30 years and hopes to lose 90 pounds in 2011. "We will be held accountable on how we were stewards of the body he gave us," Warren said about God's plan of health and happiness for people on earth. TEXT BY ERIKA I. RITCHIE, PHOTO PAUL RODRIGUEZ

Dr. Mehmet Oz is pictured during the production of The Dr. Oz Show in New York. Dr. Oz is one of three physicians that has put together a fitness and health program for Rick Warren. Warren is taking his plan of losing 90 pounds to his church members and making the effort a church-wide event.TEXT BY ERIKA I. RITCHIE, PHOTO AP

LAKE FOREST – Pledging to lose 90 pounds in 2011, Pastor Rick Warren will host three health experts – including the star of the "Dr. Oz Show" – at Saddleback Church on Saturday to launch a yearlong, church-wide fitness plan.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, a cardiac surgeon and TV show host, Dr. Mark Hyman, an expert in metabolism, and Dr. Daniel Amen, a bestselling author and clinical professor of psychiatry at UC Irvine, will help Warren kick off "The Daniel Plan" – based on Daniel 1, in which the prophet Daniel opts for vegetables and water rather than "defile himself with the royal food and wine."

The effort is part of Saddleback's Decade of Destiny – a 10-year plan to expand the ministry. The plan includes an element of personal growth meant to equip parishioners to succeed in seven areas: spiritual, physical, financial, relational, vocational, emotional, and mental.

"The Bible says that God wants us to be as healthy physically as you are spiritually," Warren said in a video announcing Saturday's event. "If you don't, you won't have the 'zip-a-dee-doo-dah' to do the rest. The plan will help you feel better, have more energy, get in shape and use your body the way God wants you to. We will be held accountable on how we were stewards of the body he gave us."

The plan will include a 52-week customized program, a curriculum for small groups, an interactive website with a meal menu, exercise and shopping tips. There will also be monthly conference calls for encouragement.

Citing high rates of childhood obesity and statistics that show 76 percent of Americans are overweight, Warren said he could only ask his membership to get healthy if he focused on his own health and fitness. Over the last 30 years, he said, he has gained three pounds each year.

"I put myself under the best care and asked these three men to develop a program for me to lose weight and get healthy," Warren said. "Nowhere else in America would you get one of these doctors to be your personal consultant – much less get all three to monitor your progress for an entire year."

Warren also encouraged his congregation to get the word out to friends and neighbors.

"This is God's prescription for your health," he said. "This is the greatest opportunity for you to introduce friends to Saddleback Church through a non-threatening event."

The event begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Saddleback Church Lake Forest campus in the main church sanctuary, 1 Saddleback Parkway. Medical professionals will also be on hand to take measurements, conduct weigh-ins and take before and after photos.

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